Civic leaders in Truro have been paying tribute to a former mayor of the city ahead of her funeral this week.

Ros Cox, who served on local councils for more than 30 years, died on December 1, aged 82, after a short illness.

She became a councillor in the late 1970s and was elected Mayor in 1999 and again in 2009.

Daughters Sarah Weare and Becky Dawes said she was much missed by the family, including her six grandchildren Helena, Rebecca, James, Joe, Rachael and Katie.   

Ros was married for 54 years to husband Mike, who died in 2016.

She had been a dedicated primary school teacher, teaching at St John’s School in Fairmantle Street, Truro, and then at Sandy Hill in St Austell.

She eventually retired as a deputy head teacher in 1999.   

Sarah said: “Mum served her local community as a Liberal Democrat councillor for many years, working tirelessly for her constituents and for the improvement of local facilities. 

“She was a city councillor until 2021, taking a break in the 1980s when she studied for a degree in education with the Open University.

“She was also a district councillor on Carrick District Council for 30 years, from 1979 to 2009, and felt honoured to serve as mayor of Truro twice and to be elected as chairman of Carrick District Council in the early 1990s.” 

A council spokesperson said: “During her time in office, Mrs Cox introduced a tenants’ charter for council tenants and was known as a fierce fighter for fairness for all.”

The current Mayor of Truro Steven Webb said Ros had been a big influence on his life since he first became interested in politics as a teenager.

Cllr Webb added: “Ros also had a big impact on Truro, being Mayor twice and having a reputation as a great negotiator. I knew her more gentle side and she will be a great loss to the city. My heart goes out to her family at this time.”

Cllr Bert Biscoe, another former mayor, said: “Ros Cox was a hard-working, long-serving and change-making member of Carrick District Counicl and Truro City Council.

“She held many offices at Carrick, including chairman, chair of policy and chair of housing. Her socialist roots took her towards addressing issues of social justice and deprivation – her work to support tenants’ rights and her resistance to the wholesale disposal of housing estates has provided the core administration, ethos and assets of Cornwall Housing, which remains as a basis of decency and safety for many people.

“In this Ros was obdurate, persistent and strong – values which she deployed in the many interests she developed and sustained. She was a thoughtful, tenacious and decent leader who responded with vigour to the challenges of her time.”

For anyone wishing to pay their respects, Ros’ funeral will be held at Penmount Crematorium, Truro on Friday, December 16, at 11am.